Looking through the front cab window

[Garmoran]

When I was 8 we were on holidays in Scotland and returning from a day out in Mallaig to Fort William by train. I went up to the front of the platform at Mallaig station to look at the engine and the driver let me in the cab to have a look round. Shortly before we were due to leave my Dad came to look for me and the driver said that I was able to have a cab ride back to Fort William. At this my Dad asked if there was room for him and as a result we both were lucky enough to have the best view in the house on that beautiful line.

I think I can probably guess who the driver was - he's been retired for about 20 years now, but numerous people have stories of travelling in the cab with him. At that time there were still 2 drivers on the trains and they could stop to take up or set down passengers wherever it suited, so long as they eventually arrived at Fort William. I remember the train grinding to a halt one morning and reversing back into Lochailort when the late-running bus from Acharacle finally turned up.

Back on topic, in the late 70s/early 80s I used to travel from Leicester to Crewe to catch the northbound sleeper and remember that the DMUs between Derby and Crewe usually had the blinds behind the driver down - I used to sit at the back instead and enjoy the view out the rear cab.

 

[plannerman]

I volunteered with the diesel group at Llangollen years ago, and cabrides were a perk of the job - I was only a skivvy, but you only had to ask to get a ride. I remember during the dieesl galas sometimes, there would be volunteers riding not just in the front cab but in the rear cab as well.
One thing that sticks in my mind is being in the rear cab of 25313 going uphill through Berwyn tunnel and seeing sparks flying, so I walked through the engine room to tell the lads driving - don't think i've ever experienced noise like it, and it was only 20-ish mph

 

[Kryten2340]

I forgot to mention Tyne and wear metro. Not sure if this is classified as main line.

Technically the metro is mainline but only between Pelaw and Sunderland.